The Ukrainian government is initiating a new approach to ensuring the availability of medicines for the population. According to the plans of the Ministry of Health, pharmacies will be obliged to keep in stock the cheapest medicines with the most common active substances. The initiative will be presented by Minister of Health Viktor Lyashko at a meeting of the specialized parliamentary committee on January 24.
Minister Lyashko emphasized that pharmacies already have an obligation to offer buyers the cheapest drugs. However, now it is planned to additionally oblige pharmacies to ensure the constant availability of such drugs on the shelves.
The key mechanism is nationwide bidding through the "Prozoro-market" , where the cheapest options for drugs with a certain active substance will be determined. According to Lyashko, distributors and pharmacies will be obliged to ensure the availability of these drugs.
"We compared the prices of active substances and the cheapest registered drugs - the difference is many times. Therefore, we will oblige that such means be in every pharmacy. This will ensure their availability for all segments of the population," Lyashko said.
The Minister also recalled the "Winter Support" , which operates for residents of remote villages and front-line regions. It allows you to order medicine through Ukrposhta using an electronic prescription.
You can order:
- over-the-counter drugs (over 10,000 names);
- medicines under the state program "Affordable medicines" (free of charge or with a minimal surcharge).
However, the following cannot be ordered under the program:
- insulins;
- psychotropic and narcotic drugs;
- powerful poisons;
- medical immunobiological means.
What will change for consumers?
- Lower drug prices : Constant availability of the cheapest drugs will help avoid situations where consumers are forced to buy more expensive alternatives.
- Price transparency : Trading through "Prozoro-market" guarantees competitiveness and formation of the lowest prices.
- Equitable access to medicines : Remote areas will have better access to essential medicines thanks to the mail delivery programme.
This initiative is aimed at solving one of the key problems of Ukrainian medicine - the unavailability of cheap and effective medicines. If adopted, it will be able to significantly facilitate the life of millions of citizens, especially in the conditions of a difficult economic situation.
